Vending machine construction



Dec. 7, 1937. G. J. SCOFIELD. 2,101,420

VENDING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 8, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 131w M13 QM ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1937. J; sco E D 2,101,420

VENDING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION INVENTOR F SwPwQa Dec. 7, 1937. G. .1, SCOFIELD 2,101,420

VENDING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 8, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR r% sw%Qa BY 31w Qunks +-Dwwwz.

ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1937. G. J. SCOFIELD VENDING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 8, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Blah, and-is f-Bww-nQ.

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNHTED STATES PAFENT @FFICE Application December 8 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a vending machine construction.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a vending machine which is simple in construction and thoroughly efiicient and practical in operation. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is durable and which can withstand long continued use. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is inexpensive to construct, pleasing in appearance and which takes up but i ht space when installed. Another object is to provide a Construction of the above nature which can be easily operated and in which the delivery of an article is assured after payment of a legitimate coin into the machine. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which accommodates ample supplies of diiferent articles. Another object is to provide a 20 construction of the above nature which can be operated to select one of several difierent kinds of merchandise and deliver the same. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature in which a single operating part effects both selection and delivery of the article purchased. Another object is to provide a construction or" the above nature which necessitates payment of a legitimate coin before selection or delivery can be eiiected. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature in which double delivery, after the payment of a single coin, is effectively prevented. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various embodiments of my invention,

Figure l is machine;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 22 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken along the line 1- in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation showing certain of the operating parts of my construction; and

a front elevation of the vending 1934, Serial No. 756,663

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing the coin detector and certain other op erating parts of my construction;

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the lower portion of one of the merchandise containers of the vending machine.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of my invention, it might here be pointed out that numerous dimculties are encountered in providing a vending machine which is capable of vending a number of articles differing in quality and/or shape. Such machines generally necessitate the provision or" a number of coin-entry slots, operating levers, and delivery chutes and are accordingly bulky and ill appearing. A further difliculty is encountered in efiectively preventing the delivery of more than one article for the payment of a single coin and still further difiiculties are encountered in combining with such machines suitable apparatus for detecting and rejecting counterfeit coins, slugs and the like. Another object of this invention is to obviate such difiiculties in addition to many others.

Generally, my vending machine is comprised of an enclosure, generally indicated at E0 in Figure 1, through which extends an operating knob II which controls the mechanism disposed within the enclosure. Extending upwardly of and secured to enclosure It, I provide preferably a cylindrical, transparent casing 82 within which are displayed and rotatably mounted a number of containers IS. A top portion M rests upon the top of casing I2 and is secured thereon in a manner to be more fully pointed out hereinafter. A coin-entry slot i5 is suitably positioned in enclosure it and a delivery pocket It and a coinreturn pocket E? are suitably disposed on the exterior of the enclosure. A coin drawer l8 conveniently extends through the front of en closure til and is positioned therewithin to receive the coins deposited into the machine.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 3, enclosure IE3 is comprised of a bottom casing Ida and an upper casing itb which is provided with a shoulder we. Thus, casing 5% may be readily placed upon the top of casing Mia and secured thereto in a manner to be later described. A slotted ring i9 is suitably secured to the top of casing Iflb and this ring receives glass cylinder 52. A supporting part 26 (Figures 1 and 3) is also secured to the top of casing itb and includes a suitable cushioning element 26a (Figure 3) which presses against glass cylinder l2 to hold the cylinder in its assembled position. Top I4 is provided with a flange 4a in which is cut a slot |4b which receives the top of glass cylinder 2, glass cylinder l2 being preferably secured to flange |4a in any suitable manner. Thus top H, glass casing l2 and easing |0b are secured together as a unit..

Still referring to Figure 3, a partition lfld is secured to the side walls of casing Illa and this partition supports a frame which is generally indicated at 2| (see also Figures 4 and 6) the frame being suitably secured to partition we as by screws 2|a. Frame 2| is preferably a casting and is provided with a number of suitable bosses and bores which support most of the operating parts of the machine, as will be described hereinafter. It will thus be seen that a distinct advantage is gained in providing a unitary support on and in which is assembled a large proportion of the 0peratingmechanism.

As is best seen in Figure 3, frame 2| includes a boss 22 and a journal 23. Boss 22 is provided with a bore in which is disposed a support shaft 24 which is secured against rotation by means of a pin 25 extending through both the boss and the shaft. Rotatably disposed on shaft 24 and revolvably borne in journal 23; I provide a hollow shaft or sleeve 28. Secured to sleeve 26 and rotatable therewith are a pair of spiders 21 and 28, spider 27 including a portion 21a which acts as a thrustbearing against the top of journal 23 and accordingly supports sleeve 26 in its proper operative position. Spider 28 includes a top portion 28a from which extend downwardly a suitable number of webs 2827 (Figure 2). Webs 28b extend from hub portion 280 (Figure 3) to side walls 28d which are preferably flat and have formed on the exterior sides thereof slots or channels 28c. A screw 29 extends through the upper portion of hub 28c and secures spider 28 to sleeve 23 (see Figure 3). Spider 2'! is accordingly likewise provided with a top 27a, webs Z-lb, a hub 21c, and side walls 21d, the side walls having: slots or channels 2'le substantially similar to channels 28c.

As has been pointed out above, containers l3 are disposed within glass casing I2. As is more clearly shown in Figure 2, these containers are provided with support brackets l3a. on the ends of which are secured plates I 3b suitably formed to engage spiders 21 and 28 with a sliding fit in slots or channels 21's and 286 (see Figure 3). Thus, it may be seen that containers B may be readily installed in or removed, from their operative engagement with the spiders. By referring to Figure 2, it may also be seen that by making the containers readily detachable from the spiders, containers of different sizes may be used and accordingly articlesof different quality or size may be accommodated.

In Figure 3, a delivery chute 30' is indicatedby a broken line and the topof this delivery chute is always positioned adjacent one of containers l3 so as to receivearticles 3 I ejected therefrom in a manner to be described hereinafter. Delivery chute 30 communicates with delivery pocket !'6 (Figure 1) from which thedelivered article may rotation of knob 4| rotates shaft 39.

nism thereof a lever or arm 33 which engages shaft 24 in a slot 24a (not shown) formed therein. Thus, upon insertion of the proper key in look 32, arm 33 may be swung from its engagement with shaft 24, thus permitting the unit comprised of top H and accordingly glass casing l2 and casing |0b to be lifted bodily from the top of casing Illa, thus to permit access to the containers and the operating mechanism. Similarly when the containers have been refilled, the mechanism adjusted or repaired, etc., the above-mentioned unit is replaced and arm 33 is swung into engagement with shaft 24, hence securely locking the machine against access from its exterior.

With reference to Figure 6, coin drawer |8 is slidably disposed within the space provided between partition IM and the bottom of easing Illa. Suitably secured to the top of partition Illd is a hinge bracket 34 which pivotally supports a latch generally indicated at 35. Latch 35 ineludes an ejector arm 35a, a catch 35b, and an operating arm 35c. Arm 35a and catch 35b project through partition |0d into coin drawer I8 in the path of a lug |8a secured to a side of the coin drawer. Arm 350 projects upwardly from partition |0d into the path of a push rod 36 which is slidably mounted in a sleeve 31 secured to frame 2|. Push rod 36 includes an upwardly extending arm 36a, the top of which is exposed when casing |0b is removed. Accordingly, when arm 36a is pushed inwardly of easing ||la, or to" the right as viewed in Figure 6, latch 35 is pivoted so that catch 35b moves out of the path of lug |.8a and ejector arm 35a abuts lug |8a forcing coin drawer |8 partially out of casing |0a where it may be readily grasped for further withdrawal as desired. A spring 38 is secured to frame 2| and arm 35. and constantly urges latch 35 into its locking position. Thus, upon the closing of coin drawer l8, lug I8a forces catch 35b upwardly until the drawer is completely closed, whereupon the catch is forced downwardly by spring 38 and lies in front of lug |8a to prevent withdrawal of coin drawer l8.

As is most clearly shown in Figure 3, frame 2| includes a portion 2|a in which is journaled a shaft 39. Exteriorly of portion 2|a and secured thereto is a plate 40 or the like having extending therefrom a shoulder 40a. Shaft 39 extends through plate 40 and through an opening in casing lb and has mounted thereon an operating knob or handle 4|, which abuts against shoulder 40a. Knob 4| is secured to shaft 39 by means of a pin 42 or the like and accordingly 0n the other end of shaft 39, I provide a clutch, generally indicated at 43.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 4, clutch 43 is comprised of apart 44 keyed to shaft 39 (Figure 3) and has formed on the opposite sides thereof a number of jaws 44a and 44b, preferably two jaws on left side of clutch part 44 and four jaws on its right side. Clutch part 44 (Figure 3) accordingly rotates with shaft 39. Clutch 43 (Figure 4) also includes parts 45 and 46, both of which are respectively provided with jaws 45a and 46a which engage jaws 44a and 44b respectively on clutch part 44. However, jaws 44a (Figure 4) and 45a engage each other only upon counterclockwise rotation'of knob 4|, and jaws 44b and 46a engage each other only upon clockwise rotation of knob 4|. J ournaled in clutch part 44 and extending therefrom is a stud shaft 41 (Figure 3) and on the free end of this stud shaft there is keyed a bevel gear H0. Disposedv between bevel gear I I and clutch part 45 is a spring 49 and this spring constantly urges clutch part 45 into engagement with clutch part 44, clutch part 45 being slidably mounted on stud shaft 41. However, upon clockwise rotation of knob 4| jaws 44a and 55a override partially compressing spring 49 (see Figure 4), and thus do not impart rotation to stud shaft ll and accordingly bevel gear H0.

Referring again to Figure 3, a bevel gear 50 is suitably secured to sleeve 26 and this bevel gear meshes with bevel gear ill! and is rotated thereby upon counterclockwise rotation of operating knob 4|. Hence upon counterclockwise rotation of knob 4|, jaws 440. on clutch part 44 engage jaws 45a on rotating clutch part 45 which in turn rotates stud shaft 41 to which clutch part 45 is keyed. The rotation of stud shaft 4'! imparts rotation to bevel gear H0 which, through its meshed relationship with bevel gear 50, causes the rotation of sleeve 26 and accordingly spiders 21 and 28 and the containers l3 which are secured thereto. Clockwise rotation of knob 4| (Figure 3) does not cause a rotation of sleeve 26 because jaws 45a and 45a merely override and force clutch part 55 out of engagement with clutch part 44, at the same time compressing spring 49.

As has been pointed out, I have provided a number of containers l3 which may differ in size and shape in order to accommodate not only a large number of vendable articles but also different kinds of articles. Accordingly when the purchaser wishes to select one of several kinds of articles he turns knob 4| in a counterclockwise direction to rotate the containers as pointed out above. However, I have found it preferable to aid selection by providing mechanism which accurately places the selected container in a delivery position with respect to delivery chute 30. To this end, as is more clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, there is secured preferably to the bottom of sleeve 25 a selector wheel, generally indicated at 5|, from the periphery of which a suitable number of arcuate portions 5m are cut out. These arcuate portions 5|a preferably correspond in position and number to containers l3 and accordingly the positioning of one arcuate portion determines the delivery position of its corresponding container.

To positively position one of arcuate portions 5m and accordingly one of the containers, I provide, as is better shown in Figure l, an arm 52 which is pivotally mounted on 2. lug 2H7 extending from frame 2|. A roller 53 is rotatably mounted on arm 52 and is of a suitable diameter to attain a substantially close engagement with any one of arcuate portions 5m. Preferably the radius of roller 53 is greater than that of arcuate portion 5| a to provide a clearance between the roller and the selector wheel as illustratively shown in Figure 4. Ihe provision of this clearance enables the roller to ride over the toothlike portions of selector wheel 5| during the operation thereof and renders the selecting operation more rapid and accurate as will be pointed out hereinafter. A spring 54 is suitably secured to the free end of arm 52 and to frame 2| and accordingly constantly biases roller 53 into engagement with selector wheel 5|. Thus, as shaft 25 is rotated, as pointed out above, selector wheel 5| likewise rotates and forces roller 53 to ride over the tooth-like portions of selector wheel 5| between adjacent arcuate portions 5m thereof, thus positively selecting a predetermined container by engaging in an arcuate portion. Se-

lector wheel 5| (Figure 4) has a clockwise rotation and, to prevent a counterclockwise rotation thereof, there is provided a leaf spring 55 suitably secured to a lug 56 extending upwardly from frame 2|. Thus, the end of spring 55 abuts against the teeth on selector wheel 5| to prevent counterclockwise rotation thereof.

During the clockwise rotation of sleeve 26 and accordingly containers 3, the assembly of containers attains substantial momentum. To provide for the rebound, engendered by the inertia of the containers, upon the sudden halting of rotation of the containers by the action of roller 53 and selector wheel 5|, which rebound would tend to separate jaws 44a and 45a, a spring 51 is provided. This spring is secured at one end to clutch part 44 and at its other end to clutch part 45, thus tending to keep the respective teeth or jaws thereof in mesh and resist the abovementioned rebound. Thus, when selector wheel 5| is actuated to a stop position, the forces resulting from the inertia of the containers I3 is absorbed by spring 51 and stop spring 55. Accordingly, containers l3 are positively aligned for delivery of the article selected.

From the above it will now be seen that a predetermined selection of any one of the containers may be positively and easily accomplished by turning operating knob 4| (Figure 3) in a counterclockwise direction. In other words, the vending machine is now conditioned for delivery of the selected article.

By the provision of a number of containers 3, selectable within a transparent casing such as casing 12, a purchaser is assured a return of an article upon payment therefor in that if the container selected should happen to be empty such condition is clearly visible and he can accordingly select another container before effecting delivery. However, if the purchaser fails to notice the empty condition of container l3 and attempts to effect delivery of a selected article, other means are provided which render such attempted operation impossible thus giving the purchaser still another chance to receive an article for his deposited coin, all as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be seen that clutch part 46 is preferably a unit having integrally related therewith a collar portion 46, a reduced portion 45b, and a collar 460, the unit being rotatably mounted on shaft 39 and collar portion 450 abutting against the interior side of frame portion 2| a. On collar portion 4611 there is formed a cam 47. A disgorging lever 48 is mounted to pivot about a pin 49 which is secured in a suitable boss extending from frame 2!. The lower end of disgorging lever 48 rotatably mounts a cam roller 50 while on the upper end thereof, there is secured a disgorging plate 4%. As is more clearly shown in Figure 7, disgorging plate 485 is of substantial area and, as shown in Figure 3, is positioned so as to force one of articles 3| out of a container |3 upon disgorging arm 48 being pivoted. A spring 52 (Figure 3) is secured to portion 2|a of frame 2| and constantly biases disgorging lever 48 away from the selected container l3 by bearing against a pin 48a extending from lever 48.

Delivery of an article from container l3 (Figure 3) by disgorging lever 48 is effected by a clockwise rotation of knob 4| subsequent toits counterclockwise selective rotation. Upon such clockwise rotation, jaws 44a and 45a of clutch Cal parts 44 and 45 (Figure 4) respectively are forced out ofmesh and override, whereas jaws 44b and 45a of clutch parts 44 and 45 respectively are forced into mesh and accordingly clutch part 46 is rotated in a clockwise direction. As this rotation continues, cam 41 (Figure 3) rotates and cam roller 50 rides over its surface, thus pivoting disgorging lever 48 so -as to swing disgorging plate 48b into an opening l3b in the selected container 3 and force one of articles 3| therefrom into delivery chute 30. The clockwise rotation of knob 4| is continued preferably through substantially 90 at which point the rotation is positively terminated by the abutment of a pin 53 (Figure 4) against a stop 55 which extends from frame 2|. When pin 53 abuts stop 55, delivery of article 3| has been effected.

After such delivery, knob 4| automatically returns to its neutral position upon its release from the operators hand. This automatic return is effected by means of a spring 58 (Figure 4) which is secured at one end to a lug 59, extending from frame 2|, and at its other end (Figure 3) to a pin 6!] projecting from reduced portion 461). During this automatic return the jaws in clutch part 44 (Figure 4) and the jaws in clutch part 45 would abut so vigorously as to possibly become separated through the rebound were it not for spring 51 which holds the two clutch parts in question together. Disgorging lever 48 is also automatically returned by the action of spring 52 against pin 48a extending from the lever. Thus all parts are automatically conditioned for the next operation.

The neutral position to which knob 4| (Figure 3) is automatically returned is determined by the position of clutch part 45. Clutch part 44 rotates with knob 4| during the delivery operation of the knob. Accordingly, the return rotation of the knob and clutch part 44, which is effected by spring 58 (Figure 4), is limited by the engagement between the teeth on clutch part 44 and the teeth on clutch part 45. While clutch part 45 can be rotated in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4, it must in doing so rotate sleeve 26 on which the containers are mounted, and also rotate selector disc5| against the bias of the spring urged roller 53. The inertia of the containers and the bias of spring urged roller 53 are sufilcient to counteract the force or torque of the counter-clockwise rotation of clutch part 44 at the time its teeth engage the teeth on clutch part 45, and accordingly clutch part 45 stops the motion of clutch part 44 and accordingly knob 4|, stopping the knob in its neutral position.

In order to prevent the delivery of more than one article for a single coin, there is secured to the shaft portion 4|a of knob 4| (Figure 3) and rotatable therewith a disc 6| which, as is more clearly shown in Figure 5, is provided with toothed segments 6|a preferably spaced equidistantly about its periphery, thus providing smooth circumferential portions Blb between the toothed segments; Thus, disc 5| constitutes a ratchet. Projecting from frame 2| is a pin 62 which pivotally supports a pawl 63. A spring 64 is secured at one end to pawl 63 and at its other end to a pin 65 extending from frame2l. Pins 52 and 65 are preferably so related to frame 2| that a line drawn through their axes extends through the axis of shaft 39, pawl 63 thus being held by spring 64 in a dead-center position with respect to shaft 39 and the point thereof being spaced slightly from circumferential portions Gib. As pawl 63 is pivotable, it will ride over toothed segments 6|a upon rotation of ratchet 6| in either direction but, when the point of pawl 63 is engaged in the teeth of any one of the toothed segments during rotation in one direction thereof, reverse direction cannot be imparted to the ratchet until the ratchet has been sufficiently rotated to completely disengage the pawl from the toothed segment with which it is in engagement. In other words, during counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet (Figure 5) which is the direction of selection, clockwise or delivery rotation cannot be commenced until selection is completed. Thus, the risk of jamming the mechanism is precluded for the reason that, immediately after pawl 63 becomes disengaged frorn ratchet 6|, selector roller 53 (Figure 4) passes over one of the selector wheel teeth and spring 54 completes the rotation of the selector wheel by forcing roller 53 into the next concavity 5|a to place one of containers l3 in delivery position. As this action is very rapid, clockwise or delivery rotation of knob 4| cannot be effected rapidly enough to jam disgorger plate 5! between adjacent containers 3.

When ratchet 6| (Figure 5) is turned in clockwise or delivering direction, pawl 63 is pivoted the opposite direction by the ratchet teeth and becomes engaged therewith, thus precluding counterclockwise rotation until delivery is effected. Accordingly, it may now be seen that when pawl 63, as viewed in Figure 5, is pivoted clockwise by the counterclockwise selecting direction of rotation of ratchet 6|, delivery or clockwise rotation is prevented until the pawl has cleared the ratchet teeth. And conversely, when the pawl is pivoted in counterclockwise direction by the clockwise or delivery rotation of ratchet 6|, counterclockwise rotation of ratchet 5| is precluded until delivery is effected, thus preventing double delivery by the restoration of certain locking mechanisms as will be described hereinafter.

In order to prevent the selection and delivery of an article from the vending machine without the deposit of a coin therein, a coin-controlled locking mechanism is preferably provided. With reference to Figures 3 and 5, a locking disc 66 is secured to and rotates with portion 4Ia of knob 4|. As is better shown in Figure 5, locking disc 66 has a suitable number of preferably concave portions 56a equi-distantly disposed about the periphery of the disc. When operating knob 4| (Figure 3) is centered, one of concave portions 68a (Figure 5) is positioned contiguous to a. ball 61 which, as is better shown in Figure 6, is disposed within a cavity 68 in a housing 69. When ball Bl is in the bottom of cavity 68 it lies within concave portion 66a and thus, while preferably allowing partial pivotal rotation of locking disc 66 for certain purposes to be set forth later, prevents such rotation thereof as would permit selection or delivery.

When ball 6'! is moved upwardly in cavity 68, selecting or delivering rotation of locking disc 66 may be effected. In order thus to displace ball 61 out of its locking relationship with looking disc 66, there is provided a coin-operated arm H1 (Figure 6) which is pivotally mounted on a pin extending from frame 2|. Arm 10 includes a portion 10a on which ball 61 rests and which is disposed within a slot 69a (Figure 5) in housing 69. Thus, upon clockwise pivoting of arm 10, portion 10a thereof raises ball 61 in cavity 68 thus to permit rotation of locking disc 66 and accordingly operation of the vending machine. Preferably a cotter pin I2 or the like extends through housing 69 and prevents portion 10a of arm 10 from forcing ball 61 completely out of cavity 68.

In the upper end of coin-operated arm I (Figure 6) is a coin reception plate 101) or the like in which legitimate coins drop to cause the pivoting of arm III by overbalancing the same and accordingly effect the unlocking of lock disc 66 as already described. Arm I!) thus overbalanced pivots, and locking ball 61 is maintained out of locking engagement with locking disc 66.

To assure the return of arm 1!! into locking position there is provided a pin I3 (Figure 3) extending from collar 460. When knob AI is rotated in delivery or clockwise direction, collar 460 is likewise rotated thus causing pin T3 to swing upwardly against the inclined surface of a link 14 which is free to swing a certain distance in one direction on coin arm pin I I. Link I4 is thus free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about pin II but cannot swing in a clockwise direction thereabout past the point where its upper surface is parallel to the axis of shaft 39. Therefore, as may be more clearly seen in Figure 4, when spring 58 effects the automatic return of reduced portion 46b and accordingly collar 460, as pointed out above, pin I3 (Figure 3) is swung downwardly on link I4 (Figure 4) which causes a rotation of pin II in a clockwise direction. This rotation of pin II returns coin arm Ill into its locking position, the dotted line position shown in Figure 6, thus permitting locking ball 61 to engage lock disc 66 in one of the concavities 66a thereof.

In order to prevent coin arm Hi from rebounding into an unlocking position, a counterweight I5 is secured to one end of pin II. In case the counterweight is not effective to prevent such rebound, a coin-arm stop I6 (Figure 6) is provided, Stop I6 is pivotally mounted on a pin I'I secured to frame 2| and during the upward or looking movement of coin arm III, the extreme end I60 of coin-receiving plate 10b contacts the inclined portion 16a of stop I6 to pivot the stop away from coin plate 'Illb. When end I90 passes the uppermost extent of inclined portion a, stop 16 swings back toward arm IE3 and allows end I60 to pass in a groove 16b in the stop. The pivotal return of stop 16 to its normal position thus sufficiently absorbs the rebound of coin arm Ill.

Stop I6 has an additional function. In the event that an attempt is made to effect delivery from the vending machine by tipping it backwards or rocking it to cause arm IE to pivot, a weight I8 is pivotally mounted on frame 2! and abuts against an arm 16c extending upwardly from stop I6 causing the stop to pivot, in effect, in a clockwise direction thus to cause a grooved portion 16d thereof to contact the end of coin arm 10. Hence arm 16 is prevented from becoming overbalanced and accordingly unlocking the operating mechanism. A pair of abutments I9 and 86 extend from frame 2! and are so disposed with relation to pivoted weight 18 as to prevent its displacement from operative position by violent tipping of the vending machine.

In the event that weight I8 or stop I6 become inoperative, fraudulent unlocking of the vending machine by tipping it backwardly is further prevented by means of a ball 95 (Figure 3) which rides on an inclined extension of frame 2 I As the machine is tipped backwardly, extension 96 approaches the horizontal and becomes oppositely inclined, so as to permit ball 95 to roll readily over extension 96 and thus become disposed within cavity 660. of lock 66 and so lock the machine. A cotter pin 91 or the like is preferably provided to prevent ball 95 from falling off of extension 96 when the machine is in normal position.

An additional safety device is provided to prevent the delivery of an article without the insertion of a proper coin. As shown in Figure 3, a leaf-spring MI or the like is suitably secured to the rear of each of containers I3, the bottom of this spring being spaced from the delivery port I311 of container I3 and substantially adjacent thereto. Spring I6! has sufficient tension to prevent one of articles 3i from falling out of the container when the machine is tipped over backwards and is not strong enough to hinder the legitimate delivery of one of the articles.

Referring now to Figure '7, it may be seen that each of containers [3 is provided with an opening in one wall thereof, this opening being defined by wall portions I30. Slidably disposed within container I3 is a weight, generally indicated at I00, this weight being comprised of a body portion IBM and a projecting portion will). Between portions IOIIIa and Iilflb are slots I060 or the like and into these slots wall portions I force one of the articles out of the container through opening I302 (Figure 3) in the bottom thereof. The other purpose of weight II!!! is to prevent the delivery operation of the vending machine when the selected container is empty. Referring to Figure '7 it may be seen that when container I3 is empty, weight Hi0 lies on the bottom of the container so that projecting portion Illllb of the weight lies in the path of disgorger plate 5|. Thus, when disgorging lever 48 is swung by delivery operation of the machine, plate 481) abuts against projection I082; to prevent its further disgorging motion and accordingly prevents the restoration of the locking mechanism which would ensue were complete disgorging motion imparted to disgorging lever 48. Thus, the purchaser will have an opportunity to select another container without the insertion of an additional coin, as arm I0 (Figure 6) remains in unlocking position.

In order to prevent the operation of the vending machine by counterfeit coins, slugs or the like, a coin detecting device, generally indicated at 8| in Figure 6, is preferably provided. Coin detector BI comprises a scavenger, generally in dicated at 82, and a weight tester, generally indicated at 83. As certain of the specific details of scavenger 82 and weight tester 83 comprise part of the subject matter of my copending application, Serial Number 752051, only certain details thereof will be described.

Scavenger 82 includes a scavenger plate 84 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket 85 suitably secured to frame 2|. A spring 86 biases scavenger plate 84 in a clockwise or closed direction with respect to bracket 85 (Figure 5) and. the bottom of plate 84 is provided with a track portion 84a which forms a coin track over which coins roll after insertion through coin slot I5 (Figure 6). Thus legitimate coins and various types of metallic slugs after insertion through selector wheel 5|. After the desired container is coin entry slot l5 roll over track 84a which is preferably inclined, but bits of paper, leather slugs, and the like will not traverse thescavenger but will become lodged on coin track 84a.

In order to prevent such refuse from jamming the coin track, scavenger operating mechanism is preferably provided, to this end, as is best shown in Figure 5, an arm 8! is pivotally mounted on apin 88 secured to and extending from frame 2|. A roller 89 is rotatably mounted on a pin 99 secured to and extending from arm 87, and this roller rides in one of concavities 66a on locking disc 66. The free end of arm 81 supports a floating link 9| or the like which is held in proper position on arm 8'! by a pair of guides 92 and 93 which are secured to a plate 94, this plate preferably being a part of bracket 85. Floating link 9|, includes an arm Slla whichin normal inoperative position is positioned beneath a projection or arm 84?) of scavenger plate 84. Assuming that a piece of paper or a leather slug has been inserted in the machine and assuming that it becomes lodged in scavenger 82, an attempt will then be made to operate the vending machine by turning operating knob 4| (Figure 3) in one direction or the other. As the leather slug has not caused the retraction of locking ball 61 from lock disc 6'6, the machine is still locked and accordingly only a partial rotation of knob 4| in one direction or the other is possible. This partial rotation, however, will cause roller 89 (Figure ,5) to ride up one side or the other of concavity 66a and accordingly jiggle arm 81 as knob 4| is turned. When arm 81 is raised, floating link 9| is kicked upwardly and its arm 9|a forces scavenger arm 84b upwardly causing scavenger 84 to open into the dotted line position (Figure 5) and drop the leather slug or the like into the coin return chute 94 (Figure 6) When floating pin 9| attains its maximum upward position, as indicated by the dotted line position in Figure 5, its arm 9|a becomes disengaged from scavenger arm 842) thus permitting spring 86 (Figure 6) to close scavenger plate 84. As this action is very rapid, scavenger plate 84 is open just long enough to reject the leather slug and not long enough to cause the rejection of a legitimate coin should such coin be inserted immediately after the attempted operation of the vending machine.

As weight tester 83 (Figure 6) detects and rejects overweight and underweight slugs and returns them to pocket I! by way of return chute 94, it will be seen that the vending machine can only be conditioned for operation by means of a legitimate coin.

It will now be clear that upon the insertion of a proper coin, such coin will pass through detecting device 8| (Figure 6) and fall upon coin lever 10. Coin lever 10 thus overbalanced pivots and forces locking ball 61 out of engagement with lock disc 66., Lock disc 66 (Figure 3) thus being unlocked, rotation of knob 4| in either direction is now possible. If it is desired to select a container 3 different from the one already in de-' livery position, knob 4| is turned in a counterclockwise direction. Upon the knob being so turned, shaft 39, which is keyed to clutch part 44, causes clutch part 44 and accordingly clutch part 45 to rotate. This rotation is thence imparted to stud shaft 41 which in turn rotates bevel gear H0. As bevel gear ||ll rotatively meshes with bevel gear 50, clockwise rotation is imparted to sleeve 26 and accordingly to containers I3 and selected, knob 4| is turned in a clockwise direction and through the action of cam 4'! on disgorging lever 48, an article 3| is delivered from its container l3 into delivery chute 3i) and thence to delivery pocket I6 from which it may be obtained. When knob 4| is released, spring 58 returns the knob to its normal position and at the same time the locking mechanism is restored to a locked condition.

However, if a leather slug or the like, which will not pass through scavenger 82 (Figure 5) is deposited therein, the machine will not be unlocked and when an attempt to operate the machine is made the scavenger will be flicked open as aften as knob 4| is turned in one direction or another and accordingly the leather slug will be rejected and the coin track left unobstructed.

It can now be seen that I have provided a vending machine wherein a multitude of different kinds of vendable articles may be displayed and selected for delivery by the turning of an operating knob in one direction. It may also now be seen that by the turning of this same operating knob in the opposite direction delivery of the selected article is readily effected.

Accordingly there has here been provided a vending machine in which the various objects hereinabove set forth together with many other thoroughly practical advantages are successively achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

' 1. The combination with a vending machine 1 in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery efiecting mechanism, and means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen compartment by displacing the article therefrom.

2. The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism, and means rotatable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being rotatable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen container by displacing the article therefrom.

3. The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatusincluding compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism including an ejector, and means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to actuate said ejector to engage one article in the chosen container and displace it therefrom for delivery thereof.

4. The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism, means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen compartment by displacing the article therefrom, and means for preventing delivery operation of said operable means when the chosen container is empty.

5. The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism, means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen compartment by displacing the article therefrom, and means forming a delivery chute for delivering to the purchaser the article displaced.

6. The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism, means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen compartment by displacing the article therefrom, and means operatively associated with said selecting mechanism for limiting movement of said container to one direction of movement only.

'7. The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism, and means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen compartment by displacing the article therefrom, said means including a clutch having parts automatically engageable in one direction of operation of said means to move said container, said clutch also including parts automatically engageable in the opposite direction of operation of said operable means to effect actuation of said delivery mechanism, said first-mentioned clutch parts being disengaged during the engagement of said second-mentioned parts.

8. The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism, means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen compartment by displacing the article therefrom, said means including a clutch having parts automatically engageable in one direction of operation of said means to move said container, said clutch also including parts automatically engageable in the opposite direction of operation of said operable means to effect actuation of said delivery mechanism, said first-mentioned clutch parts being disengaged during the engagement of said secondmentioned parts, and spring means constantly urging said clutch into driving engagement during its selecting operation.

9. The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism, and means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen compartment by displacing the article therefrom, said selecting mechanism including a part operable to maintain the selected container in delivery position after selection thereof.

1i). The combination with a vending machine in which a movable container includes a plurality of compartments capable of holding different kinds of articles, each compartment being capable of holding a plurality of superimposed articles; of an operating apparatus including compartment selecting mechanism, delivery effecting mechanism, and means operable in one direction to actuate said selecting mechanism to make an optional choice of any one of said compartments and place the chosen compartment in delivery position, said means being operable in the opposite direction to effect positive delivery of one article from the chosen compartment by displacing the article therefrom, said operable means including a shaft, ratchet means associated with said shaft, and pawl means engageable with said ratchet means to prevent selective operation of said operable means after delivery operation thereof has been commenced.

livery position, said'means being operable in the opposite direction to efiect positive delivery ofone article from the chosencompartment by dis-r placing the article therefrom, said operable means including a cam, and an ejector arm operatively'associated with saidvcam upon operation thereof in delivery direction to effect the displacement of said article from the chosen compartment.

GILBERT J. SCOFIELD. 

